800.227.9890

Our Five Favorite Features: Alco-Sensor FST

The Alco-Sensor FST is an evidential quality hand-held breath tester that is widely used by law enforcementagencies as a preliminary breath tester (PBT), in corrections agencies, substance abuse treatment programs, and in schools. Rather than give the exhaustive list of all the features in the Alco-Sensor FST, here is our choice for the five top features of the Alco-Sensor FST.

Radical Design

The most obvious feature of the Alco-Sensor FST is its radical design. The FST looks nothing like the boxy rectangular shape of previous versions of Alco-Sensors – or any other breath tester, for that matter. The innovative design allows for right or left handed operation, and the two-button controls allow the operator to operate the instrument with one hand without moving their grip on the instrument.

Passive Test Capability

A Passive Test feature built into the Alco-Sensor FST allows testing without a mouthpiece. When used in the passive test mode, the subject blows at a sampling cup mounted onto the FST. The instrument displays results as Positive or Negative to indicate if there is alcohol in the breath or not. Because the subject does not touch their mouth to the sampling cup the operator does not have to change it for every test. The FST can perform a passive test every ten seconds, enabling the operator to screen a large number of people very quickly for the presence of alcohol. This makes the Alco-Sensor FST an ideal tool for shelters, schools, work release programs, etc., who routinely screen groups for the presence of alcohol.

Rear-Facing Display

The Alco-Sensor FST introduced the rear-facing display that enables the operator to easily view the display while the subject blows into the mouthpiece. This is an important safety feature for law enforcement officers, enabling them to keep the subject and the FST in view at all times. It also allows every operator to better monitor the testing process by viewing the messages on the display during a test procedure.

Automatic Breath Sampling

Automatic breath sampling means that the instrument monitors the flow of breath through the instrument to ensure the subject blows an adequate amount of breath, then pulls in a sample of the breath for analysis at the optimum moment. Automatic breath sampling ensures precise, accurate results regardless of the operator’s skill. The operator needs only to hold the instrument and instruct the subject on the proper way to blow. The FST allows the operator to override the automatic sampling feature for subjects who are physically incapable of providing a sufficient amount of breath.

Microprocessor Controlled Calibration

Unlike older instruments that are calibrated by turning a screw with a screwdriver, the Alco-Sensor FST uses firmware to make calibration adjustments. Microprocessor controlled calibration ensures greater accuracy in the adjustments and greatly reduces the opportunity for tampering with the calibration or for operators to make “inadvertent” calibration adjustments.